Make-up, organic cotton swabs, tampons, and baby baby wipes damage the environment. Here’s how you can learn better

Cutting Single-Use Waste in Your Bathroom and at the Festival

Many everyday personal care items are used for seconds and then linger for years. Conventional cotton swabs often have plastic stems, many baby wipes contain synthetic fibres such as polyester or polypropylene, and tampon applicators and wrappers are frequently plastic. When these items are flushed, they can contribute to sewer blockages and end up in rivers and coastal waters, where plastic breaks down into ever smaller fragments rather than disappearing.

Simple swaps that make a difference

• Choose paper or bamboo stems for cotton swabs, and only buy them when you genuinely need them. Many make-up corrections can be done with a clean brush or a fingertip.
• Switch to reusable make-up remover pads made from cotton or bamboo fabric. Wash them in a mesh bag with your laundry.
• Read wipe labels carefully. "Flushable" does not always mean the wipe breaks down like toilet paper. Putting all wipes in the bin, never the toilet, is the safer habit.
• Consider menstrual alternatives such as cups, period underwear or reusable pads, or choose applicator-free tampons. Ask a doctor or nurse if you are unsure which option suits you.
• Buy larger containers or refills of cleansers and creams to reduce packaging.

Why "organic" is only part of the story

Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, which is a real benefit, but it still uses water and land. The most sustainable product is usually the one you use less often or reuse many times. Treat biodegradable items as a better choice, not a free pass: they break down best in proper composting conditions, not in landfill or waterways.

Carrying the habit to food festivals

The same thinking works when you spend a day tasting mole. Bring a cloth napkin or handkerchief instead of a pack of wet wipes, carry a reusable water bottle, and use the bins provided for sorting waste. Check the festival map for handwashing points and recycling stations, and browse our guides for more tips on enjoying Mexico City's food events with a lighter footprint.